Overview
- Ethan Nwaneri broke the deadlock after the interval, finishing a move created by Myles Lewis-Skelly following Mikel Merino’s backheel.
- Bukayo Saka came off the bench to add a late second, converting after Andre Harriman-Annous had a shot saved on his senior debut.
- Mikel Arteta made 10 changes from the weekend league match, handing a first senior start to Max Dowman, who became Arsenal’s youngest-ever starter at 15.
- Dowman drew praise for his impact on the right, leading the match in dribbles, fouls won and duels won as reported by post‑match statistical analyses.
- Hurzeler’s Brighton threatened early but were repelled by Kepa Arrizabalaga, as Arsenal advanced with another clean sheet; Arteta confirmed William Saliba is out and said Gabriel Martinelli is undergoing assessment.